2010 Lexus RX350 Problems
Compared with other Lexus RX350 years
More complaints than typical for this model
94/100 2.8× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 2.8× that of a typical Lexus RX350 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 54 of its 94 complaints were filed by the end of 2012.
- Most reported problem: Airbag non-deployment or unexpected deployment (11 complaints, median 48,000 mi).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2013
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 94filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 28,000miles, 81 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Lexus RX350 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this model year most often describe unintended or sudden acceleration, typically at low speed while parking or pulling away, with several also reporting a stuck accelerator pedal or high engine revs under cruise control. A second recurring theme is oil leaking from a rubber oil cooler hose, and a smaller group describes airbag non-deployment or unexpected deployment in crashes.
- Vehicle speed control
Sudden unintended acceleration at low speed
Mentioned in 25 of 60 sampled complaints
Complaints describe the vehicle surging or revving on its own while parking, pulling out of a driveway, or creeping with the brake applied, often ending in a curb, wall, or another vehicle being struck. Some owners say the brake pedal felt ineffective during the event and that shifting to neutral was needed to stop the car. Several report the dealer could not duplicate or diagnose the condition, and in some cases the vehicle was found to be outside the accelerator pedal recall population. Mostly reported under about 40,000 miles, frequently during low-speed parking-lot or driveway maneuvers.
What to check: Ask whether the accelerator pedal assembly recall (12V305000) was completed and whether any pedal, floor mat, or software campaign is still open; have a technician check pedal movement and floor mat fitment.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Unintended acceleration without ability to brake with my Lexus rx 350, at 2 pm on saturday march 12th 2011 with 5 passengers. I was driving at around 30 MPH. The choice was to crash in the car ahead stopped at a red light or go on the side walk, up a steep mount and crash in a brick wall. This is what I did. Nobody was hurt. Police was called and the car was towed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10395334, filed 2011-04, 22,800 miles“My 2010 Lexus rx 350 has had two incidents of sudden accelaration in the 6 weeks I have owned the vehicle. On both occasions, the vehicle suddenly reved up past 4 to 5,000 RPM for a fraction of a second and then returned to normal RPM (2000). Reported the first incident to Lexus. No action has been taken by Lexus.”
NHTSA complaint #10310398, filed 2010-02, 350 miles - Air bags
Airbag non-deployment or unexpected deployment
- 11 complaints (12%)
- median 48,000 mi at 6.8 yrs old (11 state mileage)
- 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2011–2019
Complaints describe front airbags failing to deploy in a substantial frontal impact, and in other cases airbags deploying without a crash. Owners also describe the seat belt not holding the driver during a collision. In the reports where follow-up is noted, the vehicle was inspected by a dealer or third party without a clear cause being given. Reported from about 18,000 to 110,000 miles, in crash and non-crash circumstances.
What to check: Ask whether any airbag-related recall or campaign applies to the vehicle identification number, and check that the airbag warning light behaves normally on startup.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Driver was pulling into a parking spot, just rolling to a stop with her foot on the brake. The car suddenly accelerated into a brick wall and a tree. The front bumper of the car was smashed and the frame was bent. Air bag did not deploy as it should have. Owner contacted Lexus legal department the next day and filed a claim. 16 days later a third party investigator recovered the data from the event data recorder. …”
NHTSA complaint #10904253, filed 2016-09, 42,500 miles“Collision with another vehicle. Lexus driver's seat belt did not restrain driver and airbag blew open allowing driver to impact steering wheel hard enough to sustain a fractured sternum and chest wall injury. .updated 11/03/14 updated 7/15/2015 updated 09/04/15”
NHTSA complaint #10649069, filed 2014-10, 37,506 miles - Vehicle speed control
Acceleration surge with cruise control or when resuming
- 6 complaints (6%)
- median 9,500 mi at 1.7 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2010–2012
Several complaints describe the car speeding up sharply when cruise control is resumed or while cruise is engaged, with engine rpm climbing well above the set speed. Owners describe braking, shifting to neutral, and switching the system off to regain control, and some note a brake malfunction message appearing at the same time. Dealers in these reports generally could not reproduce the behavior. Reported from very low mileage up to roughly 40,000 miles, typically at highway speed with cruise control active.
What to check: Test cruise control engagement and resume on a quiet road, and ask whether the throttle body or cruise-related software has been serviced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“On oct 5, 2011 at 7:45 am , I was traveling on a one lane road each way in rural connecticut ( 35 MPH zone). I decided to pass a car that was traveling well below the speed limit when my Lexus RX350 lurched forward suddenly and then had a huge burst of accelerating speed. I applied my foot to the brakes and the car slowed very slightly, but started to buck a little and then once again felt like it kicked into a higher gear. My dashboard was flashing brake failure as I looked down and saw that my foot was firmly planted down on the brakes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10445439, filed 2012-01, 32,000 miles“Lexus 2010 rx 350 cruise control traveling at 75 MPH in arizona had to slow down to about 55 MPH and when the cruise control was resumed the vehicle roared ahead. The acceleration was extreme (pushed us back in our seats) and stopped after cruise control was turned off.”
NHTSA complaint #10304828, filed 2010-02, 2,500 miles - Engine
Oil leak or blowout from engine oil cooler hose
Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints
Complaints describe oil leaking onto the driveway or, in more severe cases, the oil line failing and oil being lost within minutes, followed by a low oil pressure warning and engine noise. Owners say the dealer identified the front oil cooler hoses or oil pipe as the source and that a revised part has been used for the repair. Some owners say the hose was replaced under warranty while others paid for the repair themselves. Mostly reported between roughly 70,000 and 160,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage; often noticed as a leak while parked.
What to check: Look for oil residue around the front of the engine and the oil cooler line, check the oil level, and ask whether the updated metal-line part has been fitted.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My car started leaking oil all over my driveway and into the garage, as soon as I realized what happened I drove it to the dealer. Dealer said front oil cooler hoses were leaking and that I was not the first. Dealer asked Lexus to recall and were refused. This defect is all over the internet since the company used rubber hose instead of metal which they used to use and should have continued to use. The part was covered under warranty but my driveway and garage floor are ruined. The company 1-800 number service person was rude. …”
NHTSA complaint #11019220, filed 2017-08, 89,223 miles“Oil hose leak. Oil pipe which connects to the engine. While driving the hose will leak and you will never be advised that the oil is low. A service bulletin went out to replace the plastic hose to metal. When you take the car to the dealership they try to tell you its not a safety issue but an engine not receiving oil and your truck just breaking down is a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11075795, filed 2018-03, 160,000 miles
Buying note. Given how often unintended acceleration appears in these complaints, verify that the accelerator pedal recall and any related campaigns were completed and drive the car at low speed in a parking area before buying. Also check for oil residue at the front of the engine and ask for records of any oil cooler line replacement.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 94 consumer complaints for the 2010 Lexus RX350. 81 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 28,000 miles. Of all complaints, 23 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 11 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 229 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 9 Lexus RX350 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 94 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Vehicle speed control38 40%
- Electrical system12 13%
- Brakes11 12%
- Air bags9 9.6%
- Engine8 8.5%
- Body and structure6 6.4%
- Steering5 5.3%
- Engine cooling4 4.3%
- Equipment4 4.3%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (4), Electronic stability control (3), Tires (3), Other or unknown (2), Wheels (2), Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1).
Example complaints
Vehicle speed control: “My farm is 1/2 mile off weld county road 16 in keenesburg colorado. There is a gravel drive around the house to a short concrete driveway in front of the garage. When we drive onto the concrete portion, we are angled north east toward the garage door and have to back up a short distance to head the car east to enter the garage. We drive very slow through the yard as we have animals to watch out for and make a slow entry towards the concrete driveway. …”
NHTSA complaint #11218629, filed 2019-06, 48,000 milesElectrical system: “The engine maintenance required light will not reset anymore after an oil change...even after you follow the steps in the users manual. It used to work because I've done it before. Now, no matter what I do, it won't reset.”
NHTSA complaint #10693769, filed 2015-03, 151,000 milesBrakes: “The car I bought back in 2014. I rarely drive. After carrying out many repairs from 2014 to 2017, the car will run in parallel and feel that it is impossible to control the steering wheel. There is also a problem with the suspension. In march 2017, a one-week overhaul will be carried out.”
NHTSA complaint #11102254, filed 2018-06, 30 milesAir bags: “I was turning left into a driveway on a two lane highway. A jeep behind me was not paying attention and tried to pass me on the left while I was turning. The impact was on the driver side door. I was hit so hard his bumper tore a whole in the door and broke the front wheel off from moving me sideways. I was knocked out from the concussion and ended up in the middle of the highway gathering my wits. I was shocked the side airbag did not deploy. Thank goodness I had my seat belt on!”
NHTSA complaint #10604926, filed 2014-06, 47,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
75% of the 81 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,300 and 49,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Lexus RX350. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX350 · sedan FWD/AWD | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | 4 · 16.4% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2010 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2010 Lexus RX350 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX 350 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,900 |
| RX 350 AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 12V305000Jun 29, 2012Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedalCovers: Lexus RX350 2010, Toyota Land Cruiser 2008–2011, Lexus RX Hybrid 2010
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Lexus RX350 and RX450h vehicles, manufactured from November 28, 2008, through September 1, 2010, and model year 2008 through 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles manufactured from September 1, 2007, through September…
Recall details for the 2010 Lexus RX350 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 229 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10230353Dec 1, 2022Equipment. TI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022
- 10230352Dec 1, 2022Equipment. DP: Limited Service Campaign KLG expired December 01, 2022
- 10230351Dec 1, 2022Equipment. TI: 19LE05 Expired December 1, 2022
- 10230350Dec 1, 2022Equipment. DP: Customer Support Program 19LE05 expired December 1, 2022.
- 10214355Apr 13, 2022Equipment. Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022
- 10210374Mar 9, 2022Equipment. TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to…
- 10209023Feb 24, 2022Air bags. TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the…
- 10207945Jan 12, 2022Wheels, Tires, Equipment. POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Lexus. This information must be kept near the point of…
- 10201403Jul 26, 2021Equipment. OBSOLETE NOTICE July 26, 2021: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see L-SB-0024-21.
- 10201401Jul 26, 2021Equipment. TSB: Some 2007 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles in particular geographic areas may exhibit a condition where the HVAC evaporator drain hose has become obstructed with an insect nest. An insect…
Other model years of the Lexus RX350
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 10 | 1,356 | 0 | 4 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 7 | 6,975 | 1 | 4–5 | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 31 | 3,000 | 3 | 4–5 | 23 | 60 · Typical | Falling |
| 2018 | 18 | 12,000 | 2 | 4–5 | 23 | — | Falling |
| 2017 | 46 | 9,200 | 3 | 4–5 | 23 | 78 · More | Falling |
| 2016 | 58 | 17,866 | 3 | 4 | 23 | 86 · More | Falling |
| 2015 | 42 | 24,650 | 1 | 4–5 | 21 | 41 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 15 | 5,500 | 0 | 4–5 | 21 | — | Falling |
| 2013 | 59 | 45,500 | 1 | 4–5 | 21 | 35 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 33 | 26,500 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 49 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 30 | 43,500 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 38 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 94 | 28,000 | 1 | — | 21 | 94 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 97 | 54,744 | 0 | — | 20 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 126 | 69,000 | 0 | — | 20 | 42 · Typical | Stable |
| 2007 | 167 | 75,000 | 1 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Lexus RX350 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Lexus RX350?
Owners of this model year most often describe unintended or sudden acceleration, typically at low speed while parking or pulling away, with several also reporting a stuck accelerator pedal or high engine revs under cruise control. The issues reported most often: Sudden unintended acceleration at low speed; Airbag non-deployment or unexpected deployment; Acceleration surge with cruise control or when resuming.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Lexus RX350 have?
NHTSA recorded 94 consumer complaints for the 2010 Lexus RX350 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2010 Lexus RX350 is reported most often?
Vehicle speed control is named most often, in 38 complaints (40% of the total), followed by electrical system with 12.
Has the 2010 Lexus RX350 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Lexus RX350 get?
The EPA rates the 2010 Lexus RX350 (RX 350 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Lexus RX350 reported?
Among the 81 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 28,000 miles and the middle half falls between 6,300 and 49,000 miles; 75% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.